PITTSFIELD — The somber weather yesterday seemed appropriate for what Mayor James M. Ruberto called a "bittersweet" occasion: A memorial service for U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Kevin J. Davis, the 32-year-old Pittsfield native who was killed last Saturday when the F/A-18 Hornet jet he was piloting crashed during a Blue Angels air show in Beaufort, S.C.

Bittersweet, the mayor said, because yesterday's memorial, held on the windswept steps of City Hall, was reminiscent of a much happier affair — the citywide celebration Sept. 12 of Pittsfield astronaut Stephanie Wilson, another local who dared to reach for the stars.

"Today is the second time in the last (several) months we've been in front of City Hall to recognize the talents of Pittsfield's son and daughter," Ruberto told the crowd. "In his memory, as mayor, I recognize all of those who helped make (Davis) the person he became."

Individuals and organizations essential to shaping Davis' life took part in the ceremony; Pittsfield's local veterans' organizations were on hand to honor the fallen pilot who, before his acceptance into the Blue Angels elite flight demonstration team in 2005, flew missions in the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan.

"He was truly an American hero," said Rosanne Frieri, the city's Veterans Services officer.

Teachers from Davis' high school days also took part; the future Navy pilot attended Pittsfield High School until his junior year in 1991, and he graduated in 1992 from Reading Memorial High School. His father, John Davis, was principal of Taconic High School from 1973 to 1978 and superintendent of Pittsfield schools from 1978 to 1985.

James H. Andersen, the adviser to Pittsfield High School's class of 1992, reminisced about the "very shy" blond-haired, blue-eyed boy who grew into a "helpful and hard-working" man.

Andersen read letters of condolence sent to him by Davis' classmates. One recalled making a backyard ice-skating rink with him. Another remembered Davis, after returning from a trip to his ancestral Denmark, proudly wearing Danish clogs to school in celebration of his heritage.

Andersen also said the class of 1992 was planning to start a scholarship in Davis' name.

Mark N. Matthews, former principal of Pittsfield High School, recalled the "glorious years" of watching his five children grow up alongside John and Ann Davis' three sons, and called Kevin "an angel in our midst."

Local singer Mary Verdi performed her song "Here at Home," and, turning to face the veterans present, dedicated the song to all veterans and soldiers.

"My heart is right here where you left it," Verdi sang. "There is love, not war, here at home."

Former neighbor Madeline Hawboldt spoke of Davis as "a kid who had a dream, and that was always to be a pilot."

As her voice quavered with emotion, she said, "(Kevin) not only flew, he soared. Now he has become a shining star in the heavens."

After Kevin Zawistowski performed taps on the bugle for the mute, teary crowd, the Rev. Peter A. Gregory called Davis "a child of the universe" and prayed that "his life may remain with us."

George "Buddy" Pellerin, a former psychology teacher at Pittsfield High School, stood still at the edge of the crowd as the ceremony ended.

"I thought it was a wonderful tribute to a city, to Kevin, and to his mom and dad," he said. "But this is a sad, sad day."

Pellerin said he knew the Davises when the family lived on Commonwealth Avenue, and his son-in-law, Scott Knapp, flew in Davis' squadron in Afghanistan.

"They flew F-14 Red Rippers," Pellerin added.

He also said that Knapp would be attending Davis' funeral at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla., today. After the service, Davis will be buried in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola.

The ceremony is closed to the public at the family's request, Pellerin added.

Gesturing toward the steps of City Hall, Pellerin said the memories shared at Pittsfield's farewell to the pilot was a fitting tribute — and an accurate one.